We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Anderton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.
Hi Stephanie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
After years of struggling with substance misuse, I started my journey of recovery at the age of 28. I struggled with finding support from individuals that were understanding of my history and provided encouragement. I wanted to be able to be the person that I had needed in my recovery for someone else. Someone who could empathize with my experiences and not make me feel judged. A person that could encourage me and remind me of my self worth. Keeping all of that in mind, it gave me a purpose and a goal to reach.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I work as a psychotherapist and addiction specialist at two different agencies. One primarily focuses on opiate addiction and the other is individual therapy for various mental illnesses. I have spent a lot of time educating myself on Cluster B Personality Disorders, which gives me the ability to work with a population that tends to struggle with finding proper treatment. During my internship I worked with my mentor, Jenny Massol, to build up her therapy agency, Inspiring Change PLLC. There were struggles that we had to overcome during the process, but pushed on to overcome them. The agency is geared towards populations that typically struggle to get mental health care. There is a high population of Spanish speaking therapists in the company to support the Latino population. The company is still a work in progress, but the future is looking very bright for the agency. I am proud to work for and represent the company and the services they provide.
I try to meet client’s at their level in an environment that is more casual to help encourage comfortability. My aesthetic and approach is not the average expectation a person has for a therapist. Being open and honest with my clients helps them to feel comfortable and “normal”. I can be very sarcastic and blunt, asking hard questions that push my clients to do a lot of critical thinking. Even though my approach is not the same as other professionals, it helps to normalize the struggles that my clients face so they do not feel like they are “broken”. My life experiences help me to relate and empathize with my clients, as well as provide encouragement. I am in recovery for alcohol and drug addiction and have almost 10 years of sobriety. It helps me to understand where my clients come from on a level that other therapists may not be able to. I try to connect with my clients on a personal level which gives them reassurance that I truly care for their progress and success.
I have created a free virtual peer support group for depression and anxiety. My sarcasm has definitely had a hand in naming it: “The Gloomy Introverts Guide to Gleeful Extroversion”. Although using humor to cope can be negative, sometimes it helps to normalize struggles and encourage participation. The group has been beneficial for individuals who do not have health insurance, the finances to afford therapy, or for those who need extra support. While it is not something to take the place of professional treatment, it is a safe place for others to talk and feel like they are not alone. We typically have a presentation on a specific topic to begin the meetings which are backed with research and evidence to avoid misinformation. Then we discuss how those topics have impacted our mental heath and emotions, including suggestions of coping skills or exercises to improve the problem. I feel that education about an illness is the first step in working on ways to improve problematic areas, so I try to emphasize education during the meetings. I am very passionate about my job and I love what I do which helps me provide the best assistance that I can for my clients.
Lastly, I create content on TikTok about mental health. I have videos on different behaviors, thought provoking questions, and treatment methods that can be used in therapy. I am a nerd at heart so providing education to help dispel the mental health stigma makes me happy. It definitely showcases my unique style and approach to therapy.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One quality that has really been beneficial for me is humility. Being able to acknowledge my own struggles and asking for help has been a great motivator when it comes to working with my clients. It helps them see that everyone struggles and that it is okay to ask for help. A skill that is impactful in my practice is patience. It is easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t happen as quickly as you hoped. It is important to understand that things take time and things will not happen overnight. I have struggled in the past because instant gratification is nice, but seeing hard work pay off is more satisfying.
An area of knowledge that has been extremely helpful has been learning more about Cluster B Personality Disorders. I have several clients with Borderline Personality Disorder, and the diagnosis typically has a negative reputation. I enjoy helping clients understand their illness, develop ways to manage their symptoms, and reassure them that their diagnosis does not define who they are. While the stigma about mental health has decreased, some specific diagnoses, like BPD, still cause a lot of judgement.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents always encouraged me to be myself. I remember my mother always standing up for me to my family members because of my hair styles or my choice in clothing. I was able to be unique and free to explore things. I never felt like I was judged for what I felt comfortable wearing or doing. It gave me the chance to experience all sorts of people, places, things, events, etc. without judgment. It allowed me to be accepting and openminded about other peoples lifestyles, cultures, preferences, religious beliefs etc.. I felt free to unapologetically be myself which has really been a blessing. I am predictably unpredictable. I am a textbook extrovert. I feel confident to say things that others can’t, which helps me to advocate for others who need it. I love my unique and weird self thank to my parents, and it helps me encourage other people to love their quirks too.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258048806965655
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@andertonsoftherapy
